Multistage switch assembly having radial contacts axially bridging successive printed circuit board contacts

ABSTRACT

A multistage switch, more particularly for printed circuits, having a substantially cylindrical rotor carrying radially projecting contact elements, contact plates being provided which each close a lateral longitudinal slot of the housing wall so as to complete the internal housing wall surrounding the rotor and have contact strips extending tangentially of the peripheral surface of the rotor. In order to yet further improve the versatility of such a switch with respect to its possibilities of Application but simultaneously ensure a particularly simple structure, the switch is so designed that the rotor can be assembled of a plurality of identical elements which axially succeed one another and each has distributed over its periphery a plurality of recesses for receiving a contact element, the axial structural length of the housing being variable intermediate pieces the length of which corresponds to an integral multiple of the length of the individual elements of the rotor, and the contact elements are of such length that they each connect at least two axially successive contact strips of a contact plate.

United States Patent 1 Mardach I MULTISTAGE SWITCH ASSEMBLY HAVINGRADIAL CONTACTS AXIALLY BRIDGING SUCCESSIVE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDCONTACTS [75] Inventor: Lahib Mardach, Nuremberg.

Germany [73] Assignee: Franz Sieradzki. Nuremberg.

Germany [22] Filed: Dec. 26, 1973 [Zll Appl. No.: 428.095

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Jan. I7. I973 Germany 2302048[52] US. Cl 200/8 A. 200/9. 200/293 [51] Int. Cl. IIDlh 19/56 [58] Fieldof Search 200/8 A. 8 R. 9, 11 R. 2()()/ll A. II J. ll K. II TW. l4. l6R. 16

B. If) C. l6 D. II DA. 292. 293. 307. 303. 26

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3.592.982 7/1971 DeltocrZOO/lo D UX 3.683.132 8/1973 Richardson ZOO/ll R 3.735.059 5/l973 Glaserct al ZOO/l6 C 3.754.IU(1 8/]973 MacDonald BOO/ll DA X FOREIGN PATENTSOR APPLICATIONS (ivrmnnv Illl 3,875,353 Apr. 1,1975

OTHER PUBLICATIONS Sophia. Modular Rotary Switch." Notice Sl070. pp.ll0. date: lO/70.

Prinmry E.\'uminer.lames R. Scott [57] ABSTRACT A multistage switch.more particularly for printed circuits. having a substantiallycylindrical rotor carrying radially projecting contact elements. contactplates being provided which each close a lateral longitudinal slot ofthe housing wall so as to complete the internal housing wall surroundingthe rotor and have contact strips extending tangentially of theperipheral surface of the rotor. In order to yet further improve theversatility of such a switch with respect to its possibilities ofApplication but simultaneously ensure a particularly simple structure.the switch is so designed that the rotor can be assembled of a pluralityof identical elements which axially succeed one another and each hasdistributed over its periphery a plurality of recesses for receiving acontact element. the axial structural length of the housing beingvariable intermediate pieces the length of which corresponds to anintegral multiple of the length of the individual elements of the rotor.and the contact elements are of such length that they each connect atleast two axially successive contact strips of a contact plate.

14 Claims. 7 Drawing Figures MULTISTAGE SWITCH ASSEMBLY HAVING RADIALCONTACTS AXIALLY BRIDGING SUCCESSIVE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD CONTACTS Thepresent invention relates to a multistage switch, more particularly forprinted circuits, having in a housing a substantially cylindrical rotorcarrying radially projecting contact elements cooperating withsubstantially parallel contact strips provided transversely of the rotoraxis on at least one lateral contact plate, the contact plate or platesbeing so arranged with respect to the remainder of the housing that theyeach close a lateral longitudinal slot ofthe housing so as to completethe internal housing wall surrounding the rotor and their surfacecarrying the contact strips extends tangentially of the peripheralsurface of the rotor.

It is the object of the invention to so design a multistage switch ofthis kind which can be made larger or smaller according to requirements.an axis one least said intermediate in According to the invention thereis provided a multistage switch comprising a housing having two endpieces, a substantially cylindrical rotor rotatable within said housingabout an axis in the form of a plurality of axially sucessive individualelements forming said rotor, at least one longitudinal slot in thehousing substantially parallel to said axis, at least one radiallyprotruding contact on each of said individual elements, at least oneremovable intermediate piece, provided with at least one longitudinalslot for varying the axial length of said housing, the axial length ofeach said intermedi ate piece corresponding to an integral multiple ofthe axial length of said individual element, at least one contact plate,transverse to the axis of the rotor and tangential to the rotor,arranged to overlie the longitudinal slot in the housing and tangentialcontact strips carried by said contact plate and selectively makingelectrical contact with said radially protruding contact of said rotor,the axial length of said contacts being such as to connect at least twoaxially successive contact strips of a contact plate.

Thus, contrary to the known procedure, the rotor is produced from aplurality of axially successive parts. In this manner it is readilypossible, since the housing is simultaneously also suitably subdivided,to adapt the length of the switch, and thus the number of availablecontacts, to the requirements of the occasion. In this context it is ofparticular advantage if, in accordance with the proposal of theinvention, the contact elements are provided at the periphery of therotor and the switching operation is on any given occasion effected atone and the same contact plate. In this manner considerable freedom isobtained with respect to fitting of contact elements. Normally there areprovided for example six recesses for contact elements on the peripheryof an individual part of the rotor, so that, dependent on the actualcomplementing of the recesses, a multiplicity of switching possibilitiesalready results. Clearly, the number of possible switch positions can,however, be considerably increased when not just six but for example tenor twelve recesses for attaching contact elements are provided.

Further details of the invention will become apparent from the followingdescription of a preferred exemplary embodiment of the multistage switchaccording to the invention reference being made to the accompanyingdrawing, in which:

FIG. I is a side elevation of the rotor of the switch;

FIG. 2 is an axial section taken along line IIll of FIG. 3;

FIG. 3 is an end elevation (from above in FIG. 1) of an individual rotorelement;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of individual elements of the switch;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of a possible embodiment of a contact platefor a switch according to the invention; and

FIG. 6 and 7 are a side view and a plan view of the assembled multistageswitch.

As is clearly apparent from the drawing, the switch according to theinvention has a housing, generally designated by the reference numeral1, assembled from a plurality of individual parts. This housing isprovided with a cylindrical bore 2 in which a rotor, generallydesignated by the numberal 3, is accommodated and rotatable, by means ofa shaft 4. The housing is provided along its two longitudinal faces witha longitudinal slot 5 which enables the contact elements 6 of the rotor3 to engage the contact plates 7 and 7a provided on either side. Thecontact plates 7 are provided with contact strips 8 and 8a. The contactstrips 8 end in terminals 9 serving for connection of the multistageswitch with a wiring plate, for example a printed" circuit. As is alsoclearly apparent from the drawing (FIGS. 4,5) the contact strips 8,8aeach extend transversely of the longitudinal axis of the switch andparallel to one another. On the contact plates 7, the contact strips 8are each individually connected to the terminals or connecting lugs 9.The contact 7a on the other hand is so designed that only half of thecontact strips i.e., the contact strips 8, are each individuallyconnected to a connecting lug 9, while the respective contact strips 8asituated therebetween are interconnected and jointly connected to asingle terminal 9a.

As is clearly shown in FIG. 4 the rotor 3 comprises a plurality of, inprinciple identical, individual elements 11 the precise design of whichis apparent from FIGS. 1 to 3. A plurality of such individual elementsare axially pushed onto the rectangular shaft 4 to abut the adjacentelement and an end piece 12 abuts the element at one end at least. As aresult of the use of, in the illustrated embodiment, a rectangular shaft4 and a corresponding opening 13 in the individual elements 11 perfectentrainment of the individual elements is ensured when the shaft 4 isturned. The shaft and the opening could, of course, have a differentshape. Moreover, in order to enhance the versatility and to increase thenumber of switching positions of the switch, it is possible to arrangethe lateral faces of the opening 13 in the various individual elementsat differing angles to the plane of symmetry 15, according to thedot-dash line 14 of FIG. 3, so that the contact elements 6 of adjacentindividual elements 11 are relatively offset in peripheral direction,although the angular spacing between the individual openings 16 forreceiving the contact elements 6 is the same.

FIGS. 1 to 3 show clearly that the openings 16 for the contact elements6 have the configuration of longitudinal slits which are formed in anannulus l8 upstanding from a bottom 17 of the individual elements. Theannulus 18 is formed with an annular groove 20 opening into the face 19of the individual elements. A substantially cylindrical portion 21, theface 22 of which somewhat recedes relative to the face 19, remainswithin the annular groove 20. At that side of the individual element 11which is situated opposite the face 22 a substantially cylindricalattachment 23 protrudes beyond the corresponding face 24 about to thesame extent as the face 22 recedes relative to the face 19.

In a peripheral wall 25 and substantially centrally of the openings 16there are provided recesses 26 for the contact elements 6 which recessesare open toward the face 22, as is shown in FIG. 1 in particular. Whenthe individual elements 11 are in the position of use shown in FIG. 4,i.e., when several individual elements 11 axially adjoin one another,then the recesses 26 are closed by the attachment 23 in the region ofthe face 22.

As can be seen in FIG. 3 the contact elements 6 are of substantiallyU-shaped cross-section. Lateral strips 28 adjoin the legs 27 of thecontact elements 6 which are generally bent of sheet metal. In theposition of use the strips 28 contact the annulus 18 from inside in theregion of the longitudinal slits 16 to retain the contact elements inplace.

A compression spring 29 holds the contact elements 6 in the position ofuse and resiliently urges them against the contact plates 7. On end ofthe compression spring 29 is supported by the contact face 30 of thecontact elements 6 and the other end is supported by the bottom of therecesses 26. By virtue of the central disposition of the recesses 26relative to the longitudinal slits 16 and the recesses 26 being closedby the attachment 23 the springs 29 are virtually precluded fromdropping out after assembly. On the other hand it need hardly beexplained in detail that the contact elements 6 with the springs 29 canbe mounted in simple manner by being axially (from above in FIG. I)pushed into the slits l6 and the recesses 26.

FIG. 3 shows an individual element 11 fitted with only a single contactelement 6. It is, of course, possible to envisage a differentarrangement. Moreover, it is also conceivable to provide a greater orsmaller number of openings 16 than the six shown. It is of course, veryimportant for the axial extent of the contact surface 30 of the contactelements 6 to be of such magnitude that one contact element 6 alwaysconnects at least two contact strips 8 or 80.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated the housing of the multistageswitch includes an end piece 31 (FIG. 4) which is hollow, a second endpiece 32 which has an attachment provided with longitudinal slots and acylindrical bore 2, and optionally one or more intermediate pieces 34which are provided in pairs. For the purpose of connecting the endpieces, 31,32 to each another and to the interposed pieces 34, and moreparticularly for mutual alignment of these parts, pins 35 and, ofcourse, corresponding bores which are not shown in the drawing areprovided on the end pieces 31, 32 and the intermediate pieces 34. In usethe housing of the multistage switch is assembled by plugging togetherthe two end parts 31, 32 and, depending on the number of individualelements 11 of the rotor, optionally also one or more pairsofintermediate pieces 34. The end plates 36 which simultaneously alsoserve for securing the switch to a suitable support are then fitted.Finally the end plates 36 are clamped together by means of screw bolts38 engaging in lateral slots 37 of the end plates 36 and end pieces 31,32 and nuts 39 threadably applied onto the screw bolts 38, whereby theindividual sections of the housing are secured against loosening.Actually, prior to insertion of the screw bolts 38 into the slots 37 thecontact plates 7 must be laterally fitted to the corresponding contactsurfaces 40 of the intermediate pieces 34 and/or end pieces 31, 32. Thecontact plates 7 are generally secured in this position by means of somekind of suitable arrangements, e.g., by detent elements.

Finally, as is apparent from FIG. 4 of the drawing an indexingmechanism, generally designated by the reference numeral 41, isoptionally accommodated in the hollow and piece 31. This indexingmechanism consists of a toothed plate 42 with which resilientlyoutwardly urged indexing elements 43 cooperate, these being guided in anopening 44 of a drive shaft 45 normally carrying the central knobs. Twotoothed rings 46 having protruberences 47 serve for restrictingrotation. For this purpose the protruberences 47 cooperate with stops 48of the corresponding end plate 36.

With reference to the above description it follows that according to theinvention a multiplicity of switches having the most diverse switchingpositions and of greatly differing sizes, i.e., differing number ofplanes, can be constructed. Since the contact elements 6 normallycooperate with one contact plate 7 it is, of course, also conceivable tomake the design of the switch such that a contact plate 7 is providedonly at one side while the longitudinal slot 5 of the other side isclosed, in which case then individual intermediate pieces could beprovided rather than pairs of intermediate pieces. It is clear that theaxial length of the intermediate pieces should equal an integralmultiple of the length of the individual elements.

We claim;

1. A multistage switch comprising, in combination:

a. a housing made up of a plurality of sections;

b. two end pieces of said housing;

c. a substantially cylindrical rotor rotatable withing said housingabout an axis;

d. said sections defining at least one longitudinal slot in the housingsubstantially parallel to said axis;

e. a plurality of axially successive individual elements forming saidrotor;

f. at least one radially protruding contact on each of said successiveindividual elements forming said rotor;

g. at least one removable intermediate piece, provided with at least onelongitudinal slot for varying the axial length of said housing, theaxial length of each said intermediate piece corresponding to anintegral multiple of the axial length of said individual element;

h. at least one contact plate, transverse to the axis of the rotor andtagential to the rotor, arranged to overlie the longitudinal slot in thehousing; and

. tangential contact strips carried by said contact plate andselectively making electrical contact with said radially protrudingcontact of said rotor the axial length of said contacts being such as toconnect at least two axially successive contact strips of a contactplate.

2. A multistage switch as claimed in claim 1, and further comprisingmeans defining openings in said individual elements, said openingsaccommodating said radially protruding contacts.

3. A multistage switch as claimed in claim 2, and further comprisingmeans defining an annular groove in each of said individual elementssaid groove opening into one axial end of the respective element. saidopenings being formed as longitudinal slits extending between theperipheral surface of the individual element and the annual groove, anda retaining strip carried on the radially inner end of said contacts,said retaining strip engaging the annular groove to retain said contactwithin its slit.

4. A multistage switch as claimed in claim I, wherein the contacts havea substantially U-shaped crosssection and are formed of sheet metal andfurther comprising a compression spring urging said contact elementsradially upwardly of the respective individual elements.

5. A multistage switch as claimed in claim 4, and further comprising arecess aligned with the longitudinal slit, the compression springsengaging said recesses.

6. A switch as claimed in claim 5, wherein the recesses open towardssaid one end face.

7. A multistage switch as claimed in claim 5, and further comprisingmeans defining a depression in said one face, so that said recesses havean axial length and a circumferential width which is substantiallyequal, and said other end face has a projection dimension to engage inthe depression of an adjacent individual element.

8. A multistage switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the individualelements each have a polygonal opening for insertion of a correspondingpolygonal shaft.

9. A multistage switch as claimed in claim 8, wherein the individualelements all have openings of identical configuration, but the angularposition of this polygonal opening of one element, differs from that ofanother.

10. a multistage switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the intermediatepieces of the housing are each formed as two separate blocks having anarched inner surface.

11. A multistage switch as claimed in claim 10, wherein the intermediatepieces each have two parallel lateral contact surfaces for the contactplates.

12. A multistage switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the intermediatepieces of the housing further comprise on one end face thereof aprojection, and on the other end face thereof a bore to receive theprojection of an adjacent intermediate piece.

13. A multistage switch as claimed in claim 12, and further comprisinglateral clamping bolts adapted to draw the end pieces of the housingtowards one another on an axial direction.

14. A multistage switch as claimed in claim 1, and further comprisingindexing means accommodated in one end piece of the housing.

* IF #0 l l

1. A multistage switch comprising, in combination: a. a housing made upof a plurality of sections; b. two end pieces of said housing; c. asubstantially cylindrical rotor rotatable withing said housing about anaxis; d. said sections defining at least one longitudinal slot in thehousing substantially parallel to said axis; e. a plurality of axiallysuccessive individual elements forming said rotor; f. at least oneradially protruding contact on each of said successive individualelements forming said rotor; g. at least one removable intermediatepiece, provided with at least one longitudinal slot for varying theaxial length of said housing, the axial length of each said intermediatepiece corresponding to an integral multiple of the axial length of saidindividual element; h. at least one contact plate, transverse to theaxis of the rotor and tagential to the rotor, arranged to overlie thelongitudinal slot in the housing; and i. tangential contact stripscarried by said contact plate and selectively making electrical contactwith said radially protruding contact of said rotor the axial length ofsaid contacts being such as to connect at least two axially successivecontact strips of a contact plate.
 2. A multistage switch as claimed inclaim 1, and further comprising means defining openings in saidindividual elements, said openings accommodating said radiallyprotruding contacts.
 3. A multistage switch as claimed in claim 2, andfurther comprising means defining an annular groove in each of saidindividual elements said groove opening into one axial end of therespective element, said openings being formed as longitudinal slitsextending between the peripheral surface of the individual element andthe annual groove, and a retaining strip carried on the radially innerend of said contacts, said retaining strip engaging the annular grooveto retain said contact within its slit.
 4. A multistage switch asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the contacts have a substantially U-shapedcross-sectioN and are formed of sheet metal and further comprising acompression spring urging said contact elements radially upwardly of therespective individual elements.
 5. A multistage switch as claimed inclaim 4, and further comprising a recess aligned with the longitudinalslit, the compression springs engaging said recesses.
 6. A switch asclaimed in claim 5, wherein the recesses open towards said one end face.7. A multistage switch as claimed in claim 5, and further comprisingmeans defining a depression in said one face, so that said recesses havean axial length and a circumferential width which is substantiallyequal, and said other end face has a projection dimension to engage inthe depression of an adjacent individual element.
 8. A multistage switchas claimed in claim 1, wherein the individual elements each have apolygonal opening for insertion of a corresponding polygonal shaft.
 9. Amultistage switch as claimed in claim 8, wherein the individual elementsall have openings of identical configuration, but the angular positionof this polygonal opening of one element, differs from that of another.10. a multistage switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the intermediatepieces of the housing are each formed as two separate blocks having anarched inner surface.
 11. A multistage switch as claimed in claim 10,wherein the intermediate pieces each have two parallel lateral contactsurfaces for the contact plates.
 12. A multistage switch as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the intermediate pieces of the housing further compriseon one end face thereof a projection, and on the other end face thereofa bore to receive the projection of an adjacent intermediate piece. 13.A multistage switch as claimed in claim 12, and further comprisinglateral clamping bolts adapted to draw the end pieces of the housingtowards one another on an axial direction.
 14. A multistage switch asclaimed in claim 1, and further comprising indexing means accommodatedin one end piece of the housing.